VA says construction, valve problem led to yellow grass

The grass in large parts of Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is noticeably yellowed and dry, robbing the historic veterans cemetery of its usual green-hilled grandeur.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, dispatched a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday asking the VA undersecretary for memorial affairs to investigate fast.

Hunter’s spokesman said his office learned of the grass problem a month or two ago from San Diego residents.

“What is most disconcerting is how poor the conditions have been without any action by the cemetery staff until recently,” Hunter’s letter said.

“Reports vary to the cause of such conditions and when the property will be back to the standards expected of a national cemetery that honors and recognizes the sacrifices of our military veterans.”

A VA official apologized for the look that he called not up to standard. He said the federal agency is taking steps to shorten the amount of time the turf remains yellow.

Still, the ugly look will last through late summer in parts of the cemetery and other portions won't be revived until mid 2014.

“I want to apologize to our veterans and their families. We are certainly committed to the care and appearance at the national cemetery there in San Diego. Our goal is for Fort Rosecrans to meet our national shrine standards of appearance,” said James Taft, chief of operations for the VA's regional memorial network.

The problem is twofold, he said.

First, a continuing project to raise and realign sagging headstones means that the grass was intentionally killed on two-thirds of the cemetery's bay side. As workers reset the headstones, they will lay fresh sod, working in six- to eight-week increments.

That project is expected to be complete in mid 2014.

Separately, an irrigation overhaul hit a snag.

Valves couldn't stand the water pressure and failed, starting in late fall, Taft said. Off-the-shelf replacement valves weren't available, so the wait stretched out while the grass died.

But, yesterday, the VA modified its contract to purchase some valves faster and get them in the ground where the situation is critical, mostly on the cemetery's bay side.

That, in addition to interim watering, should green up the grounds by late summer, Taft said.

The VA also sent a response letter to Hunter on Tuesday. It said they are “thoroughly reviewing the situation and will provide a more complete response as soon as possible.”